ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after Roseanne Barr's racist tweet

Roseannehas been canceled by ABC following star Roseanne Barr’s controversial tweet about former Obama administration adviser Valerie Jarrett. Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger confirmed the news on Twitter, voicing support of the network’s decision.

From Channing Dungey, President of ABC Entertainment: “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show.” There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing.

The 65-year-old actress has also been dropped by her talent agency, ICM Partners.

“We are all greatly distressed by the disgraceful and unacceptable tweet from Roseanne Barr this morning. What she wrote is antithetical to our core values, both as individuals and as an agency,” the company wrote in an internal note to all employees. “Consequently, we have notified her that we will not represent her. Effective immediately, Roseanne Barr is no longer a client.”

Many immediately took offense at Barr’s tweet, since Jarrett is an African-American who grew up in Iran. Jarrett has responded to the insult, saying she’s “fine” and called it a “teaching moment.” The Roseanne star initially defended her statement, calling the tweet a “joke.” In another tweet, the actress responded to those calling her racist.

Sara Gilbert, Emma Kenney, and Michael Fishman are a few of Barr’s cast members who have reacted online.

Roseanne’s recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least.

This is incredibly sad and difficult for all of us, as we’ve created a show that we believe in, are proud of, and that audiences love— one that is separate and apart from the opinions and words of one cast member.

Several celebrities — including Barr’s ex-husband, Tom Arnold — have shared their thoughts via Twitter, both before and after ABC’s decision.

Ton of respect for Bob Iger. Tough decision with financial consequences for his company but right for America….umm..now don’t bug Bob but maybe someone else find out if I’m still banned from all of @ABCNetwork for calling Roseanne Barr out first on her racist conspiracy tweets?

Hey @ABC, Roseanne Barr compared Valerie Jarrett to an ape. There is no apology she can make that justifies @ABC turning a blind eye to this bigotry by airing another second of her show. Even in the Age of Trump, there are red lines that can never be crossed. This is one.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, also applauded ABC’s decision to cancel Roseanne.

On Tuesday, Jarrett appeared on MSNBC’s town hall Everyday Racism in America. “I’m fine,” she said. “I’m worried about all the people out there who don’t have a circle of friends and followers coming to their defense. The person who’s walking down the street minding their own business and they see somebody cling to their purse, or want to cross the street, or every black parent I know who has a boy who has to sit down and have a conversation, ‘the talk’ as we call it, and as you say, those ordinary examples of racism that happen every single day. I think that’s why I’m so glad to be here this evening talking with all of you.”

She added, “Tone does start at the top, and we like to look up to our President and feel as though he reflects the values of our country. But I also think that every individual citizen has a responsibility too, and it’s up to all of us to push back. Our government is only going to be as good as we make it be. And as Reverend always taught me, you have to be — people on the inside have to push hard and people on the outside have to listen.”